Missouri Guide To Medical Waste Disposal
Missouri, like every other state in the country, has a number of healthcare waste management regulations. When it comes to medical waste and how to deal with it, states must follow federal standards, but state legislation frequently adds to those federal regulations.
Medical waste is classified as “infectious waste” in Missouri, and thus is subject to its own set of regulations in addition to the federal regulations. Infectious waste is defined by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as “waste capable of creating an infectious disease because it contains microorganisms of sufficient virulence and quantity to produce an infectious disease in a susceptible human host.”
Get up to date on Missouri's Medical Waste Laws
The following are some of the infectious wastes that Missouri medical waste disposal definitions include:
- Blood and blood Products
- Pathological Waste
- Contaminated waste from surgery and/or autopsies
- Dialysis waste from Sharps
- Biological items that have been discarded and are known or believed to be infectious
The law requires all medical waste generators in Missouri to be aware of it. Using the cradle-to-grave strategy, medical waste generators who produce any amount of medical waste can avoid non-compliance concerns that result in penalties and fines.
It is not only ethical, but also legal, to assume responsibility for the generation, storage, transportation, and disposal of medical waste.
There’s a lot to take in here. Go Green Solutions, LLC is aware of this. However, we emphasize the need of understanding not just federal but also state standards and regulations, as they are frequently more stringent than federal requirements.
Take, for example, the need for storage. Most types of medical waste must be adequately enclosed and labeled appropriately and visibly in order to be stored. Containers must comply with Missouri’s waste standards, which can be found in 29 CFR 1910.1030. Yes, that’s the Code of Federal Regulations, which applies to pathogens in particular. Always go to federal law if a state law pertaining to an issue isn’t located in the state’s Administrative Code.
Where can the Missouri Regulations be Found?
Following federal laws published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) helps safeguard medical waste generators from penalties and fines, just as it does in other states. Medical waste is regulated by state environmental and/or health departments in addition to federal rules.
Medical waste is handled by a variety of departments in Missouri, including:
- Department of Natural Resources of Missouri (DNR)
- Hazardous Waste Program of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
- Solid Waste Management Program of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
Information about the Missouri Agency of Natural Resources’ laws and regulations, as well as laws included in Missouri statutes, regulations found in Missouri’s code of state regulations and rules, and the department responsible for establishing such rules, can be found on the website. There are a variety of laws that apply to hazardous waste, including:
- Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
- Federal Facility Compliance Act
- Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- Federal Toxicity Substance Control Act
- Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law
Division 24 (Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Office) and Division 25 (Hazardous Substance Emergency Response Office) are in charge of the act’s rules (Hazardous Waste Management Commission).
Missouri state law additionally breaks down Division 25 into chapters to show exactly what is covered. Consider the following scenario:
- Chapter 3: Hazardous Waste Management System: General
- Chapter 4: Methods for Identifying Hazardous Waste
- Chapter 5: Rules Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste
- Chapter 6: Rules Applicable to Transporters of Hazardous Waste
- Chapter 7: Rules Applicable to Owners/Operators of Hazardous Waste Facilities
- Chapter 16: Universal Waste
Department of Natural Resources has a publication titled “Management of infectious waste by residential and small quantity generators” that states that Missouri law “charges the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services with the responsibility for regulation of infectious waste management in the state.”.
It’s critical to understand the legislation. For example, did you know that in Missouri, small quantity infectious waste generators are classified as individuals who produce 220 pounds or less of infectious waste on a monthly basis? This term includes the following waste categories:
01 / Sharps — hypodermic needles, scalpel blades, and syringes are all examples of sharps. Other sharp materials, such as broken glass that may have come into touch with any infectious material, are also included.
02 / Infectious waste or organism stocks and/or cultures, including culture dishes and equipment used in the transfer, inoculation, and mixing of cultures.
03 / Any additional waste generated by healthcare providers such as veterinarians, podiatrists, dentists, and physicians that has the potential to cause an infectious disease.
According to these regulations, small quantity waste generators are responsible for establishing whether medical waste materials created by the facility are considered infectious waste.
The state of Missouri has also concluded that small-scale generators of infectious waste can treat their garbage on-site without the need for Department of Natural Resources permission or permits. Under these recommendations, you’ll find more particular advice on how to handle sharps and how to package infectious trash.
We read the fine print, so don’t worry! According to Title X, Division 25 regulations, the department (DNR) can seek additional information at any time about the nature and risks of specific categories of waste, as well as information about the quantities and disposition of hazardous waste in terms of storage, treatment, and disposal. The packing of infectious waste has very precise guidelines that must be followed even by low volume waste generators.